The increased workload at the law courts has lead the Justice Ministry to appoint an additional magistrate.

The Cabinet on Monday approved the appointment of a new judge and two magistrates.

Magistrate Michael Mallia (picture) was named judge and lawyers Claire Stafrace Zammit and Gabriella Vella will be sworn in as magistrates. The new judge will substitute Mr Justice Joseph D. Camilleri who will be retiring. Father of two Dr Mallia has been a magistrate since 1986.

His place in the Magistrates' Court will be filled by one of the two new magistrates and the other was appointed because of the increase in the work load at the courts, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry said.

Claire Stafrace Zammit, 36, mother of two, said that after she was approached by Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici and offered the job she discussed the matter with her husband, Ian. Since they both worked for the law firm Abela Stafrace and Associates, together with another two lawyers, they had to see how they would cope.

Dr Stafrace Zammit graduated in 1999 and has worked mainly in family law, the civil court and planning law.

Dr Vella, 33, had no idea what the minister wanted when he summoned her and was indeed shocked when told. Dr Vella also graduated in 1999 and is no stranger to adjudicating as she has already served as the chairman of the Consumer Affairs Appeals Board and of the Small Claims Tribunal.

She works with her father Aldo Vella and brother Massimo at Aldo Vella and Associates.